Discover the Gastronomic Icons of Paris

If you're travelling to the French capital on a budget and looking for comfortable, friendly accommodation, you really should consider one of the many excellent hostels in Paris. Centrally located and with excellent amenities, staying in one of the hostels in Paris will not only save you money, but you'll also have the opportunity to meet likeminded travellers from all over the world and experience the city on your own terms.

While a person's reasons for travel are many and varied, there's no doubt that sampling the cuisine of a particular location is always a highlight. It's not unfair to say that in Paris, this may be even more so the case!

Here are some top gastronomic icons of the city.

The Humble Baguette

Whoever said one could not live on bread alone had obviously not sampled a Parisian baguette! The traditional handmade baguette has pointed ends, a nice dark golden crust and, when you bite into it, an inside with a beautiful 'holey' consistency. The baguette is the perfect breakfast, or ideal as an accompaniment to the fabulous French cheeses and a glass of fine red wine. There are many artisan bakers in the French capital who still make their range of breads using the same recipes and methods as they did hundreds of years ago. Bread is big business in this city.

The Original Macaron

There have been many imitations of the traditional Parisian macaron, but there is nothing quite like the real thing. Said to have been invented by Laduree in the early 20th century, these delectable, colourful bites are sold all over the city – but if you want the real thing, head to the original Laduree on the Champs Elysees. Boasting many different flavours, the macaron is basically a meringue sandwich filled with a ganache or buttercream, which simply melts in the mouth.

Cheese Please

You must sample as much cheese as possible when you visit the city, and Laurent Dubois is reputed to make some of the very best. When you arrive at the shop you'll be greeted by your very own cheese consultant, who will help you choose the cheese most suited to your tastes - a little like a wine tasting bar. When you find your perfect match, they will vacuum pack a wedge for you to take home.

Croissants and More

Croissants and pain au chocolat are part of every Parisian’s daily ritual, and whichever of the hostels in Paris you choose, you'll never be far from a patisserie that sells a variety of these light pastry treats. Croissants can be filled with marmalade, crème patissiere or jam, while pain au chocolats are simply what they sound like – a rich pastry filled with delicious chocolate.

The Ubiquitous Crepe

Another wonderful street food you can enjoy all over the city is the traditional crepe. You will find charming little creperies dotted throughout every arrondissment, selling rolled crepes filled with anything from lemon and sugar to chocolate. Wrapped in a serviette and served as finger food, crepes make a great mid afternoon snack.

The five icons above are just the tip of the gastronomic iceberg waiting to be discovered in Paris. From any of the centrally located hostels in Paris you'll be able to create your very own culinary-focused itinerary and discover some new favourites of your own.

Looking for your dream travel experience? Jason H. Cunningham works for Hostelling International, a company with more than 4,000 hostels worldwide in fantastic locations. For the best hostels in Paris, or anywhere else, join our global community and say hi to the world. From quality, affordable accommodation and backpacker tips, to meaningful volunteer opportunities and enriching our eco footprint, we are the world’s local hostelling hub.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.